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Game Day Guide

Xcel Energy Center, Saint Paul, MN

Data updated: 2025-26

Game Day Intel
Capacity: 17,954

The Chronology

Your complete game day timeline at Xcel Energy Center.

3 hours before puck drop

Lowertown pregame

Head to Lowertown for craft beer at one of St. Paul's excellent breweries. The neighborhood is a short walk from the arena.

2 hours before puck drop

Rice Park area

The restaurants around Rice Park and along 7th Street offer good pregame dining within skyway distance of the Xcel.

1 hour before puck drop

Doors open

Enter the Xcel and watch warm-ups. The building has one of the best atmospheres in the NHL, Minnesota fans are hockey literate.

30 minutes before puck drop

Find your seat

Settle in. The crowd buzzes with anticipation, Wild games are an event in the State of Hockey.

Puck drop

Game time

Three 20-minute periods. Wild fans are loud, knowledgeable, and react to offsides and icing calls. This is a hockey crowd.

First intermission

Hit the concourse

Grab a Juicy Lucy or walleye fingers with a Surly Furious IPA. Minnesota food and beer at their best.

Post-game

Lowertown nightlife

Walk to Lowertown for post-game pints at one of St. Paul's craft breweries. Or take the skyway back to your car and hit the road.

Atmosphere Intelligence

Games are indoors and climate-controlled, but you'll still be outside for parking and walking to the venue.

October

2.5 inches
40°
58°

Fully climate-controlled at ~72°F year-round. Mild conditions outside, a light jacket is enough for pre/post-game activities.

November

1.3 inches
27°
42°

Fully climate-controlled at ~72°F year-round. Cool conditions outside. Bring a jacket for pre/post-game activities.

January

0.5 inches
9°
24°

Fully climate-controlled at ~72°F year-round. Bitterly cold outside, full winter gear essential for any time spent outside the venue.

March

1.4 inches
25°
42°

Fully climate-controlled at ~72°F year-round. Cool conditions outside. Bring a jacket for pre/post-game activities.

April

2.6 inches
37°
57°

Fully climate-controlled at ~72°F year-round. Mild conditions outside, a light jacket is enough for pre/post-game activities.

The Fan Intel

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